Remulla to visit France amid Zaldy Co and Loren Legarda’s stay

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said he will visit France to coordinate with authorities after Sen. Loren Legarda and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co stayed there amid their cases here. Legarda is facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman while Co is subject of two malversation cases now handled by the Sandiganbayan. “I will go to France in the coming days to talk to French authorities, because France should not be a safe haven for plunderers and ill-gotten wealth,” Remulla said in a press conference in Filipino. Article continues after this advertisement “Because Zaldy Co is there. Loren Legarda is there. So this is becoming a trend that, maybe, the country is being used as a hideout. We will make their world smaller,” he also said. Co faces two counts of malversation over an alleged non-existent P77 million worth of flood control project in Bulacan and road dike project in Oriental Mindoro worth P289.4 million, which prosecutors said was found with structural deficiencies. READ: Ombudsman files new graft, malversation raps vs Zaldy Co, others Legarda, along with her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, was accused by prosecutors of “conspiring to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions,” resulting in more than P10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government. Legarda, who first filed her medical leave on Aug. 3, extended her leave for the fifth time until Sept. 16. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sen. Legarda extends medical leave Co, Legarda, and Leviste have repeatedly denied the allegations. Article continues after this advertisement Remulla said he has no information if both Co and Legarda have already applied for asylum in France. “I have no information, but that is (seeking asylum) now in the offing … but if they saw that they would have a reputation of being a hideout for ill-gotten wealth, I think the people there will also refuse them,” Remulla said. /cb Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.